Kidd has 'a lot to learn about coaching'

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Meet the new guy, Jason Kidd.

Less than two weeks after ending his long, All-Star career, Jason Kidd acknowledged he has "a lot to learn about coaching" Thursday as he took the Brooklyn Nets job despite having no experience leading a team from the bench.

Now a point guard who was all about assists in his 19 years on the court will be looking for a little help.

"Nervous," the 40-year-old Kidd said when asked how he felt. "I'm a rookie. I go from being one of the oldest players in the league to now a rookie coach. I'm very excited about this challenge. We have a special opportunity to achieve a championship-caliber team."

Kidd retired earlier this month after one season with the New York Knicks, and the Nets decided to hire him to replace P.J. Carlesimo  a move that comes with some obvious risks since Kidd has never been a head coach.

"Jason Kidd embodied everything that we were looking for," Nets general manager Billy King said. "One thing people always thought about Jason is he was somebody who always worked hard and that's a sort of thing I think will translate into coaching. Does he have a learning curve? Yes. I think if you know Jason, he doesn't take something and want to be good at it, he wants to be great."

Kidd is rejoining a franchise he led to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002-03 when they played in New Jersey. He is second on the NBA's career list in assists and steals, won an NBA title with Dallas and has two Olympic gold medals.

Nuggets talk to ex-Sixers GM

The Denver Nuggets have talked with former 76ers general manager Tony Di-Leo about their GM job, Comcast SportsNet Northwest reported. Nuggets president Josh Kroenke views DiLeo as a serious candidate, according to the report.

DiLeo, who was named Sixers GM in September, was let go when the team hired Sam Hinkie as president of basketball operations and general manager last month.

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